Looking for a low recoil 20 gauge

[Beach Nut]

I am trying to help my cousin out who just recently had neck
surgery. He wants to take up skeet shooting again and he is
looking for a 20 gauge shotgun with low recoil. I suggested putting
a Limbsaver pad on whatever he buys. He has mentioned Beretta
and Benelli as maunfacturers he is interested in thus far. Considering
his situation, what would you suggest? He is interested in a semiauto
shotgun.

 

[txhoghunter]

In my experience with both I would pick the Benelli hands down. You can shoot it all day without a limbsaver (some might come with the ComforTech stock?) and my Beretta actually jams with different target loads that Benelli's handle with ease.

 

[potmetal]

If he's looking at new guns, Beretta and Benelli make some of the best semi autos out there. I believe Stoeger is owned by Beretta and is also a well made gun. My experience has mostly been with an old Franchi 48AL 20ga. semi auto and it was a great gun that would fit your bill.
If there is a range where you can rent guns near you, it would be worth it to let him try some out.

 

[oneounceload]

The HEAVIEST gun with the lightest loads equals the least recoil. In that respect, I would look for a 12 gauge and shoot 3/4 or 7/8 oz light target loads. For even more recoil reduction, get the 12 in an O/U configuration and buy a set of Briley sub gauge tubes in 20, 28, or 410 - that will be the least amount of ACTUAL recoil. Having the gun properly fitted and with a good recoil pad will lessen perceived recoil

 

[451 Detonics]

Nothing wrong with an 1100 in 20 either. A 28 gauge would work well too in a Remington 1100, Model 11, or in a Franchi.

 

[Hanshi]

I'm really not that familiar with modern shotguns but the easiest shooting and nicest looking shotgun I've ever owned is my SKB 20ga auto which is adjustable to take magnum loads if that's what you choose to shoot. Recoil is gentle - shoulder surgery here, too - and the gun is light and balanced well. Since I've had this beauty for 35 years I imagine they may no longer be available but I'd bet something similar is still on the market.

 

[45crittergitter]

I think the Beretta (gas) autoloader will be more friendly to him than the Benelli, which is recoil operated. I've not fired the Comfortech version, but have experience with the regular Benellis and the Beretta, and the Beretta is what I got my wife who is very recoil sensitive due to health issues. She has no problem with it using standard 1 oz. field loads.

 

[Big Ding-Dong]

Heavier gun.

A heavy gun will deliver less recoil while a light gun will deliver a stout recoil.

 

[rajb123]

Double O/U or SxS. ...weighs more but less kick

 

[MAKster]

You can buy the Beretta 390 or 3901 for $550-600. It's the best semi-auto in that price range.

 

[DRYHUMOR]

I shot my SX3 20ga this afternoon, didn't really notice much kick, but it was there. Light loads.
My O/U seems in my memory to kick a bit less, with the same loads.

 

[hoofchaz]

Fiochi and Winchester both make reduced recoil loads, but they are pricey.
CHAZ

 

[oneounceload]

Let's remember there are two types of recoil - ACTUAL, which is a function pf physics and does the long-term damage............and PERCEIVED, which is a function of fit, action type, recoil pad, etc, and does the short-term damage like bruises and cheek-slap